Commitment to Diversity

Overview

"Innovators from different backgrounds bring unique and important perspectives to understanding and addressing healthcare needs – and that is at the core of the Biodesign innovation process."
-Paul Yock, Director Emeritus, Stanford Biodesign

Diversity Mission Statement

Stanford Biodesign is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful work environment. Our training approach depends on bringing together individuals with different academic and professional experiences who share a passion for health technology innovation. We believe that diversity across multiple dimensions, including gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation,  physical ability, and socioeconomic backgrounds, provides a breadth of perspectives that inspires creativity and helps us innovate for different patient populations. We rely on all of our fellows, students, staff, and faculty to contribute to the diversity and inclusiveness of our workplace and to honor these essential aspects of our culture.

Ongoing Efforts

Our ongoing efforts to strengthen diversity at Stanford Biodesign include:

  • Recruiting students, fellows, staff, and faculty with varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, while promoting our programs to diverse populations.
  • Regularly communicating to students, fellows, staff, and faculty why we value a diverse workplace and how they can help foster an inclusive environment.
  • Establishing and upholding policies that support an inclusive and respectful work environment, as well as clear processes for identifying and resolving workplace issues in a timely manner.
  • Engaging a “working group” of current and alumni fellows, staff, and faculty to monitor progress against our diversity and culture goals and help us advance in these important areas with integrated initiatives across Stanford Biodesign's programs and other offerings.
  • Connecting with relevant organizations at Stanford University and across Silicon Valley to better understand the state of diversity in the health technology industry and collaborate on ways to improve equity and inclusion in the field.
  • Engaging speakers, subject matter experts, and industry executives to speak on diversity and inclusion topics and share their experiences in creating positive workplace environments.

These actions are the responsibility of the entire Stanford Biodesign leadership team, with help from our D&I Working Group. The Working Group, which is made up of current and alumni Innovation Fellows, staff, and faculty, is  charged with helping us optimize and expand our diversity and inclusion practices across our programs. It is led by Carolyn Heller, our Director of Operations and Finance.

If you have questions about diversity at Stanford Biodesign, please contact Carolyn Heller.
If you have questions about DxD HealthTech, please contact Ingrid Ellerbe. We also welcome your suggestions.